Egypt has proposed a new plan to Israel and Hamas to restore the Gaza ceasefire. The plan involves Hamas releasing five Israeli hostages in return for a 40-day cessation of violence. Both Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty and EU Representative Kallas highlighted the need for negotiations to address the humanitarian crisis and facilitate hostage releases.
Egypt has submitted a new proposal to Israel and Hamas with the goal of reinstating the ceasefire in Gaza. According to two anonymous Egyptian security sources, this proposal was communicated urgently on Sunday night, aiming to facilitate negotiations for the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.
The proposal indicates that Hamas is willing to release five living Israeli hostages, including an Israeli-American soldier, in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire. While Hamas accepted this proposal, it remains unclear whether Israel has provided a response.
During a press conference, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas emphasized the essential need for negotiations to ensure the release of all detainees and adherence to the ceasefire agreement. Abdelatty rejected any idea of renewing Israeli military operations against Gaza civilians.
Kaja Kallas expressed the EU’s deep concern regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and highlighted the necessity for negotiations to resume and violence to cease. She stated the importance of following humanitarian law and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, while affirming that hostages must also be released.
After the ceasefire that began on January 19, Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on March 18, resulting in over 730 fatalities according to health authorities. Concurrently, an attack in northern Israel on Monday resulted in the death of a 75-year-old man, marking the first incident of violence since the resumption of hostilities.
In conclusion, Egypt’s recent proposal to both Israel and Hamas aims to restore the ceasefire by facilitating the release of hostages in exchange for a temporary truce. The pressing calls from Egyptian and EU officials for negotiations underscore the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The significant loss of life since the renewal of military actions emphasizes the urgent need for peace efforts and international cooperation to support a sustainable resolution.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
